A private helicopter carrying six people, including Kenyan businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke, crashed in Marondera, Mashonaland, northeastern Zimbabwe, on September 30. The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the accident, which occurred at approximately 1700 hours. The cause of the crash is still unknown. The incident has sent shockwaves through the business community, with many mourning the loss of the couple.
According to family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo, the couple had been overseeing the construction of their rural mansion in Gandami, Chikomba District. They departed the site at approximately 4:20 pm and were headed to an unknown destination when the helicopter crashed roughly 40 minutes into the flight. The wreckage was scattered across the crash site, and the helicopter reportedly moved several metres from its initial point of impact before coming to rest.
The bodies of all six deceased remained at the scene until midnight, as authorities cordoned off the area. Funeral service providers had already arrived at the site to prepare for the retrieval of the bodies. Investigators had not yet established the cause of the crash at the time of reporting, and it remains unclear what led to the aircraft going down.
Wicknell Chivayo had announced lavish gifts to two of his long-serving legal representatives, Wilson Tatenda Manase and Advocate Sylvester Hashiti, just hours before his death. The gifts included a brand new 2026 Lexus GX 550 and USD 250,000 in cash for Manase, and a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography and USD 500,000 in cash for Hashiti.
The gifts were a testament to Chivayo's appreciation for the loyalty and mentorship provided by Manase and Hashiti over the years. Chivayo credited Manase with introducing him to Advocate Lewis Uriri SC and Advocate Hashiti, and acknowledged the significant role they had played in his business career.
President William Ruto has expressed his condolences to the family of Wicknell Chivayo, describing him as a close friend. The incident has sparked widespread mourning, with many paying tribute to Chivayo's business acumen and philanthropic efforts.
The investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash is ongoing, with authorities working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region, and authorities are likely to face scrutiny over their response to the tragedy.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe on September 30.
- The couple was travelling from their rural mansion under construction in Gandami, Chikomba District.
- The cause of the crash is still unknown, and an investigation is ongoing.
